Guardian of the Gates

2015-12-22 22.53 — Guardian of the Gates adorns Dorothy and Toto with Green Spectacles. Illustration by W.W. Denslow circa 1900.

The Guardian of the Gates is a a very jolly and friendly little man who guards the emerald studded gates of the Land of Oz's imperial capital known as the Emerald City.

Baums' Description[]

In Baum's original book he is described as rather short, being the same height as a Munchkin, even though it does not clarify if he is of Munchkin blood or a native Munchkin who came from the eastern quadrant known as the Munchkin Country. In appearance he is said to be a older man but very jolly and round, with a chubby fat face that seems remarkably good-natured and is always smiling. He always wears all green garments and clothes of silk, satin and velvet with real emeralds embroidered into the hems for buttons. He also is usually seen to wear a high peaked green hat of velvet with gold trim and green peacock feathers. He always has large green glass spectacles on that are locked with two bands that reach to the back of his head and can only be taken off with a giant sized solid gold key that he wears around his neck on a thick gold chain with a number of many other golden keys. Even his slightly wrinkled skin is said to be of a light greenish tint.

History[]

During the long reign of the Great Oz, it was the Guardian's duty to ensure that everyone (including animals and creatures) who entered the city was fitted with green spectacles, ostensibly to protect their eyes from the brightness and glory of the city. The green glasses were locked in place with a key on a chain worn around the Guardian's neck. (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)

Later, after the city was conquered by General Jinjur and her Army of Revolt, the use the green spectacles was forgotten, but the Guardian continued to keep watch at the gates. (The Marvelous Land of Oz)

When the Patchwork Girl arrived in the Emerald City for the first time, the Guardian of the Gates composed a song on his mouth organ for her called "The Speckled Alligator". (The Patchwork Girl of Oz)

The Guardian was invited to a party by the Wizard celebrating Dorothy's original adventure in Oz, as he had a small part in that adventure. However, he refused to attend, saying he hadn't abandoned his post in 40 years and he wouldn't do so now. (Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz)

In Jack Snow's work[]

Jack Snow regarded the Guardian of the Gates and Captain Omby Amby as a single individual, even though L. Frank Baum and Ruth Plumly Thompson treated them as separate characters, as have most subsequent authors. He made this character the husband of Tollydiggle in The Magical Mimics in Oz. The joining of the two characters was repeated in Who's Who in Oz.

Nathan M. DeHoff has proposed that Omby was merely filling in for the other man, who was on vacation.

Appearances[]

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (first appearance)
The Marvelous Land of Oz
The Road to Oz
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
The Cowardly Lion of Oz
Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz
The Wonder City of Oz

Adaptations[]

In Magic Land the Guardian is named Faramant. He hardly ever removes his glasses, faithful to the edict to the extent of refusing to do so even during a temporary edict which allowed people to do so.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)[]

The Guardian of the Gates is referred to as the Doorman. There is also another Doorman (similar to Omby Amby) who guards the doors to the Wizard's room. Both roles, along with the Wizard himself, were portrayed by Frank Morgan, possibly implying that they are all the Wizard going through a series of disguise to maintain his mystique.

The Wiz[]

In the play, the gatekeeper is not so jolly like in the book. He calls Dorothy and her friends "trash," unworthy of entering the "Big Green Apple". The insulted Tin Man threatens to chop down the gate, scaring the gatekeeper into letting them inside. He also seems to love money and riches, as demonstrated when he lists bribing him as one way of gaining access to the Emerald City. When the Wiz forbids Dorothy and her companions from re-entering the City, Scarecrow exploits this greed to trick the gatekeeper into stepping out of their way, by claiming to have hidden a bag of Evillene's riches around the corner.

In the 1978 film, the Emerald City has two men guarding its entrance. They don't speak as often as the gatekeeper from the play did. They let Dorothy and her friends into the City once one of them sees the Silver Shoes on Dorothy's feet. The group doesn't meet the guards again on their second trip, when they go through the service entrance instead of the main door. The closest either of them gets to a third appearance occurs when Dorothy sings "Home", and the main gatekeeper's image floats past her.

In The Wiz Live!, the gatekeeper is played by rapper Common. He is more like a Bouncer for a club. He asks Dorothy and her friends to step to the back of the line, even though no one else is around. After they do so, he admits failing to find their names on his list. He only lets them in after Dorothy boasts that she knows Addapearle the Good Witch of the North, who rewarded her with the Silver Shoes after she killed Evamene the Wicked Witch of the East. This production also restored the scene from the original show where Dorothy and her friends have to go through him again on their second visit.

Return to Oz (1985)[]

The Guardian of the Gates can be seen in the Emerald City towards the end of the film in the Coronation scene.

Donald Abbott's novels[]

In How the Wizard Came to Oz depicts the Guardian's initial employment by the Wizard.

Jonathan Markoff's novels[]

Beginning in "I Am Jinjur", the Guardian is named Farinelli, a possible reference to his Russian name Faramant. Farinelli was the name of a famous castrated opera singer in the 18th century, so the name may be satirical, given the upending of gender roles in the story. Markoff has left this story uncopyrighted, making the name Farinelli available to other authors who wish to append it to the originally unnamed character.